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I bought Skyrim yesterday, and since my gf is out of town for an entire week on vacation for thanksgiving break with her family... and I have a shitload of final papers to write this week so I can take a week off for the NASL finals next week -- I'm locking myself up in the house (and playing Skyrim, obvs).
But seriously, I'm basically alternating between playing Skyrim for a few hours, studying for a few hours, and checking up on my SC emails / work. This is how I plan to spend my week. That being said, I'm planning on writing a daily blog about my adventures in Skyrim, each day this week -- this will stop after my gf gets back  ! But for now, while I have NO life whatsoever, I will indulge in my nerdly appetite.
Day 1
I'm playing a dark elf, and I'm trying to basically do some kinda dual specialization with being a warrior and a mage (I.E. fighting mage?!) I spent a good 3 hours or so grinding my smithing ability until I ran out of gold (got my smithing up to 82). It's helped to level me up quite a bit, and my guy is up to lvl 19 now.
I also managed to take down 3 dragons so far: the first one you kill in the beginning of the game, another I ran into in Riverwood while I was grinding smithing, and another in the ice zone of which I can't forget (near that whitehall place), so I actually have a pretty good # of dragon bones / scales.
I've done some reading, but can't decide if I'd rather get dragon bone armor or daedric (which is better... daedric looks cooler from the pics I've seen)?
I took a break from what I can only assume is the primary storyline at the point where I'm supposed to go to the Greybeards and find out about my 'shout' ability... I started doing a bunch of side quests, killing dragons, and working on my smithing. I'll probably resume the main story tomorrow, once I max out my smithing.
One quest I'm stuck on is trying to kill Kvenel the Tongue. I cleared the whole dungeon, but was stumped on him last night, and revisited him again today (once I got to lvl 19) and still can't kill him... although I think I figured it out. On one try, I used my sneak ability and bow/arrow'd his sorcerer crony to death until I got detected and killed by him. I realized that I need to level up in my sneak / archery abilities before I can take him out, so once I max out smithing that's probably what I'll go for (anyone have any tips on grinding sneak ability)?
That's basically all as far as my actual game progress goes.
Overall, I absolutely love the game, and can find very few things wrong with it. The graphics are amazing, and the soundtrack is so good, it really makes you feel like you're watching a movie in which you are the director. I think the gameplay is pretty good too, it's definitely the best RPG I've played since KOTOR2 (although its the only one I've played since then) and EverQuest (which is the only RPG I played prior to KOTOR2).
The two small complaints I'd have about the game are:
1) seems silly that I can max my smithing skill out by ONLY making Iron Daggers -- that doesn't seem realistic. I think to increase your smithing skill, you should have to make increasingly complex things, but I guess this is a minor complaint. It also seems relatively easy to make even the most high-end gear.
2) There doesn't seem to be an easy way to cycle between weapons / spells, etc, unless I just don't know how to do it? For example, I have to press 'TAB' then switch between my sword/shield and a bow... and if I want to go to spells, I have to press 'TAB' again, go to the Magic tab, and then switch to spells. It'd be good if I can cycle between some hotkeys to switch real-time on the fly. Maybe this exists and I just don't know though...
Also, how do you change the difficulty level? I'm not sure even what difficulty I'm playing?
Anyway, that's it for me atm, I might update tonight depending on how much work I get done. Also, is streaming Skyrim allowed? Who would be interested in watching a Skyrim stream? Let me know!
Also, discuss Skyrim~~
 
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Australia7069 Posts
esc - settings for difficulty level
favourite stuff in your inventory with "f" or "r' i cant remember, then press q, and hover over the items and click a number. voila, quick switching
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You can hotkey items and spells
In the item tab or magic tab, you can press F on the item to "favorite" them
In game you press Q to bring up your favorite tab
On the favorite tab, you can hightlight an item or magic and press a number like 1
Hot key different magic and items to be able to switch gear in real time
skyrim is awesome, although horses are a bit too strong
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Also (assuming you're playing pc) you can hotkey ten items like control groups
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51385 Posts
you can only make heavy armor out of daedric, and even then, you still need the reagent of a daedra heart, which are hard to find.
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Don't level up unless you scale that leveling with combat skills. What I mean by this is don't power Smithing unless you can compensate for the scarier enemies that will spawn with higher levels by having stronger combat abilities, meaning better weapons, magic, etc.
Skyrim is an excellent game. Not as good as Morrowind, but definitely better than Oblivion was.
My only issue is that I don't want to specialize my character, though this leads to not being really really good at any particular skill (except I'm not really a fan of archery or alchemy, and I prefer light armor :/ ).
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I wish it would tell me what level smithing I need to upgrade the next level (fine, exquisite, flawless, etc). ive had to do it the hard way ><.
favorite via Q!
i did not know you can hotkey 1-10...
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well I'm the sort of guy who's playing oblivion when everyone else is playing Skyrim (lol it was $6 on steam)... but man your control-scheme complaints are NOTHING compared to what I'm going through in Oblivion. I had to download a separate mod just to let me pick up/buy/sell a full stack of an item. I'm also not the biggest fan of the combat system (I vastly prefer Dragon Age: Origin's) but it's still an awesome game and I can't wait to get Skyrim once I'm done with it. And maybe by then the mod community will have come up with some really cool stuff as well.
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There are loads of cheese/exploits in Skyrim, some are more obvious than others. I avoid them when I see them to improve my playing experience.
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DURAN PLAY THE SKYRIM LOLOLOL.
I have dragon armor (the light kind) and it looks pretty badass. But then again, I didn't really have any alternative, since I can't make use of Daedric Armor.
Ya it's kinda silly how you can max out smithing so fast. Same with pickpocketing, had both at level 100 after like level 25 (main).
Oh also, if you're having trouble with bosses, go buy a merc/get a follower and equip them with gear, they become pretty strong and can tank for you
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Why can't you use Daedric armor?
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On November 25 2011 11:11 Sc1pio wrote:
Don't level up unless you scale that leveling with combat skills. What I mean by this is don't power Smithing unless you can compensate for the scarier enemies that will spawn with higher levels by having stronger combat abilities, meaning better weapons, magic, etc.
Skyrim is an excellent game. Not as good as Morrowind, but definitely better than Oblivion was.
My only issue is that I don't want to specialize my character, though this leads to not being really really good at any particular skill (except I'm not really a fan of archery or alchemy, and I prefer light armor :/ ).
the levelling system is by far my least fauvorite part of the game, by far better than oblivion but still retarded that level up = you get weaker compared to your foes. The best part about rpg's used to be getting your ass kicked, then level up and get your revenge 
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On November 25 2011 13:14 nttea wrote:Show nested quote +On November 25 2011 11:11 Sc1pio wrote:
Don't level up unless you scale that leveling with combat skills. What I mean by this is don't power Smithing unless you can compensate for the scarier enemies that will spawn with higher levels by having stronger combat abilities, meaning better weapons, magic, etc.
Skyrim is an excellent game. Not as good as Morrowind, but definitely better than Oblivion was.
My only issue is that I don't want to specialize my character, though this leads to not being really really good at any particular skill (except I'm not really a fan of archery or alchemy, and I prefer light armor :/ ). the levelling system is by far my least fauvorite part of the game, by far better than oblivion but still retarded that level up = you get weaker compared to your foes. The best part about rpg's used to be getting your ass kicked, then level up and get your revenge
Without scaling though the game would become a lot more linear by forcing you to do low level first all the time and then move to higher level areas.
I do wish non-combat skills wouldn't increase your level though.
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On November 25 2011 13:14 nttea wrote:Show nested quote +On November 25 2011 11:11 Sc1pio wrote:
Don't level up unless you scale that leveling with combat skills. What I mean by this is don't power Smithing unless you can compensate for the scarier enemies that will spawn with higher levels by having stronger combat abilities, meaning better weapons, magic, etc.
Skyrim is an excellent game. Not as good as Morrowind, but definitely better than Oblivion was.
My only issue is that I don't want to specialize my character, though this leads to not being really really good at any particular skill (except I'm not really a fan of archery or alchemy, and I prefer light armor :/ ). the levelling system is by far my least fauvorite part of the game, by far better than oblivion but still retarded that level up = you get weaker compared to your foes. The best part about rpg's used to be getting your ass kicked, then level up and get your revenge
How would that work in a game like skyrim where there are random encounters with dragons? DAMN got my ass kicked by a dragon! Better go kill rats in the sewers until im at a level where i can kill one in the open world!
I do agree some dungeons or areas in the game shouldnt be scaled to be made easier and should be difficult but atm i find i still die alot to magic and big mobs with my character so the games not that easy as long as you dont abuse the skill system.
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On November 25 2011 13:18 Backpack wrote:Show nested quote +On November 25 2011 13:14 nttea wrote:On November 25 2011 11:11 Sc1pio wrote:
Don't level up unless you scale that leveling with combat skills. What I mean by this is don't power Smithing unless you can compensate for the scarier enemies that will spawn with higher levels by having stronger combat abilities, meaning better weapons, magic, etc.
Skyrim is an excellent game. Not as good as Morrowind, but definitely better than Oblivion was.
My only issue is that I don't want to specialize my character, though this leads to not being really really good at any particular skill (except I'm not really a fan of archery or alchemy, and I prefer light armor :/ ). the levelling system is by far my least fauvorite part of the game, by far better than oblivion but still retarded that level up = you get weaker compared to your foes. The best part about rpg's used to be getting your ass kicked, then level up and get your revenge Without scaling though the game would become a lot more linear by forcing you to do low level first all the time and then move to higher level areas. I do wish non-combat skills wouldn't increase your level though.
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere there is no scaling in Skyrim. Monsters like Giants and Dragons can be encountered from level one, and the basic Draugr (sp?) get easier and easier as you level up, eventually you will just 1 hit them.
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I don't really notice scaling, does it actually exist? I.E. when I was level 7-8 I had trouble killing Draugr's, now I 1-hit them
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On November 25 2011 14:18 Najda wrote:
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere there is no scaling in Skyrim. Monsters like Giants and Dragons can be encountered from level one, and the basic Draugr (sp?) get easier and easier as you level up, eventually you will just 1 hit them.
The level scaling is light. Dragons begins to get stronger as you level up, at level 1-10, it's a plain dragon, at 10-20 its a blood dragon, this continues up to elder dragon.
Money reward is also scaled to your level. The reward for the quest where you beat up the bard in Whiterun is 250 gold for a level 7 character and a different amount for higher level character. Same with random magic loot, what you find in dungeons are scaled to your level the first time you enter its cell.
Base on this, I would say that when you're at a certain level, instead of plain Draugr popping out of that coffin, it might be a stronger version, like the Restless variant or Wight.
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It scales pretty soft, but it definitely scales. There is also a dragon level beyond Elder Dragon (Ancient Dragon). You definitely get the feel of getting more powerful as you go.
I would say you might want to focus your play a bit more. Sneak Archer, Mage, and Warrior type is a bit spread out. Any of the 3 is a perfectly viable option for completing all content on Master difficulty.
In general if you are having difficulty, bringing a follower makes everything MUCH easier.
Have fun tho, its an awesome game.
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I am upset that there is no Monk class like in Morrowind. Monks are my favorite type to play.
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On November 25 2011 15:41 Atreides wrote:
It scales pretty soft, but it definitely scales. There is also a dragon level beyond Elder Dragon (Ancient Dragon). You definitely get the feel of getting more powerful as you go.
I would say you might want to focus your play a bit more. Sneak Archer, Mage, and Warrior type is a bit spread out. Any of the 3 is a perfectly viable option for completing all content on Master difficulty.
In general if you are having difficulty, bringing a follower makes everything MUCH easier.
Have fun tho, its an awesome game.
I dunno man. My second charachter is lv7 thief/mage and hasnt killed the first dragon yet. I took a cart ride to markearth and guards 3 shot me, chests give me orc weaponry. Probably because I have stolen an elf bow but i dont really have the manapool or health or skilltree to fight the things coming my way. Its a fun challenge though!
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lol, just had the sickest series of events ever... killed 2 giants, 3 mammoths, and a dragon in one go, kited them for like 30 minutes LOL. I'm so encumbered atm (carrying 4 dragons worth of bones+scales). I can't afford a house, any ideas for what I could do to not be encumbered eternally ? (only at about 1k gold atm T_T)
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use your companion, they have insane carry limits, they are basically a walking personal chest in the early game.
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Lydia died  same with that mage guy T_T
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51385 Posts
hire a merc or do quests for random towns and become jarl so you get another companion
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if I hire a merc can I trust them with my shit?
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The chest in front of the GreyBeards (for offerings or w/e) is afaik a completely safe and secure place to store stuff, pre house. Also I would recommend selling the dragon bones for now and not keeping them till you have a house/place to store them. Because when it comes time to craft with them the scales are actually the limiting factor and you should have plenty more bones by then.
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lol this game is such cake, even on master its too easy. i have a lvl60 mage with base health and i have an alteration spell that pretty much makes me invulnerable anyway. my gear is enchanted with so much -destruction that ALL destruction spells are free, including the master level ones. ive also used dead thrall on that peryite acolyte dude that is immune to magic and can teleport
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On November 25 2011 19:35 Legatus Lanius wrote:
lol this game is such cake, even on master its too easy. i have a lvl60 mage with base health and i have an alteration spell that pretty much makes me invulnerable anyway. my gear is enchanted with so much -destruction that ALL destruction spells are free, including the master level ones. ive also used dead thrall on that peryite acolyte dude that is immune to magic and can teleport
I don't really understand posts like this, but there is a lot of them so maybe I am missing something. For one, I've played a LOT of single player rpg and I have never found one that was "hard" if you mean like getting good at sc2/BW kind of hard. They don't take practice and lots of work or anything. It might just be me, but I don't see "difficulty" as the point of a singleplayer rpg.
Plus, a game like Skyrim is as easy/hard as you want to make it. And using super endgame content is kind of a silly comparison as well. I mean, if you COULDN'T get to a point after many hours of playing where you are a walking deity it would defy the entire genre. But that is usually well after the main story/etc is finished. I also have a lvl 55 Sneak Archer with dual 100 enchanting/smithing and can one shot almost every "non boss" mob. But that does not make the game easy.
Some main quest spoiler
+ Show Spoiler +I was disappointed in how easy some of the main quest fights were. Particularly final battle against Alduin. They were significantly easier than many random encounters I had. Or even end bosses of random dungeons. So ya I think they could have toned those up a bit on Master. Increasing health/damage of mob does not increase difficulty if some mechanic makes it inherently easy. It just makes it take 20 arrows instead of 7. So yeah... there is that.
But still, imo not exactly a game you play for difficulty or to challenge yourself. I play other games for that.
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On November 25 2011 19:48 Atreides wrote:Show nested quote +On November 25 2011 19:35 Legatus Lanius wrote:
lol this game is such cake, even on master its too easy. i have a lvl60 mage with base health and i have an alteration spell that pretty much makes me invulnerable anyway. my gear is enchanted with so much -destruction that ALL destruction spells are free, including the master level ones. ive also used dead thrall on that peryite acolyte dude that is immune to magic and can teleport I don't really understand posts like this, but there is a lot of them so maybe I am missing something. For one, I've played a LOT of single player rpg and I have never found one that was "hard" if you mean like getting good at sc2/BW kind of hard. They don't take practice and lots of work or anything. It might just be me, but I don't see "difficulty" as the point of a singleplayer rpg. Plus, a game like Skyrim is as easy/hard as you want to make it. And using super endgame content is kind of a silly comparison as well. I mean, if you COULDN'T get to a point after many hours of playing where you are a walking deity it would defy the entire genre. But that is usually well after the main story/etc is finished. I also have a lvl 55 Sneak Archer with dual 100 enchanting/smithing and can one shot almost every "non boss" mob. But that does not make the game easy. Some main quest spoiler + Show Spoiler +I was disappointed in how easy some of the main quest fights were. Particularly final battle against Alduin. They were significantly easier than many random encounters I had. Or even end bosses of random dungeons. So ya I think they could have toned those up a bit on Master. Increasing health/damage of mob does not increase difficulty if some mechanic makes it inherently easy. It just makes it take 20 arrows instead of 7. So yeah... there is that. But still, imo not exactly a game you play for difficulty or to challenge yourself. I play other games for that.
yes thats exactly what i mean, the boss battles and dragon battles are a joke.
i also hated that custom spell making was removed. that was so wack
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I can wear Daedric Armor, but it'd be really terribly inefficient since I've been leveling Light Armor - I have like level 60-70 Light Armor, and like level... 20? Heavy Armor lol. It'd be a difference of like 300+ armor rating, even if it was Daedric Armor :p.
Sell ur shit if you don't want to overencumbered LOL. That will give you the money you need to buy a house as well (Whiterun is 5k, pretty decent). Generally, don't carry anything (that you plan to sell) unless it has at least a 10gold : 1 weight ratio basically. Food is generally really inefficient weight as well, so I eat food whenever I can/need to. Other than that, level up stamina - if you stumble upon the Steed Birthstone, it gives you +100 carrying, one of the perks in pickpocketing also gives +100. Other than that, yeah, sell your stuff and use it to buy a house lololol.
The mercs you buy are 100% trustworthy, unless you hit them too much of course. And yeah, 2 of my mercs have died, they sucked lolol. Don't forget to give them decent gear and make sure they equip it - most wear heavy armor, so just them your hand-me-downs. You can find people who will be willing to follow you just by doing little quests where you run around town. ie. Riverwood or whatever that first town is, the guy who you side with in the love triangle will become willing to follow you. Take advantage of smithing upgrades as well, can make a big difference.
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Since you powerleveled smithing so high the game is already going to be too easy for you. I restarted a character due to smithing being so insanely op
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On November 26 2011 00:05 Valentir wrote:
Since you powerleveled smithing so high the game is already going to be too easy for you. I restarted a character due to smithing being so insanely op
Yep, I created a new character that's going completely enchanting/smithing free, and it's more fun
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LOL you didn't even get shout yet? daaaaaamn.
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On November 25 2011 13:18 Backpack wrote:Show nested quote +On November 25 2011 13:14 nttea wrote:On November 25 2011 11:11 Sc1pio wrote:
Don't level up unless you scale that leveling with combat skills. What I mean by this is don't power Smithing unless you can compensate for the scarier enemies that will spawn with higher levels by having stronger combat abilities, meaning better weapons, magic, etc.
Skyrim is an excellent game. Not as good as Morrowind, but definitely better than Oblivion was.
My only issue is that I don't want to specialize my character, though this leads to not being really really good at any particular skill (except I'm not really a fan of archery or alchemy, and I prefer light armor :/ ). the levelling system is by far my least fauvorite part of the game, by far better than oblivion but still retarded that level up = you get weaker compared to your foes. The best part about rpg's used to be getting your ass kicked, then level up and get your revenge Without scaling though the game would become a lot more linear by forcing you to do low level first all the time and then move to higher level areas.
I do wish non-combat skills wouldn't increase your level though.
There are technically no non-combat skills since your skill levels except for crafting hardly matters. What matters is perks and gear, you get stronger gear the more "non-combat" you go and that effect is way more noticeable than what you get from the "combat" skills so in reality the "non-combat" are actually better for combat than what you call combat skills. A guy with 100 in alchemy, enchanting and smithing with nothing else is stronger than a character who instead maxed out all other skills.
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EPT
